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Panels/Poster Session/Workshops

Panel Sessions

National Assessment Instruments

Friday, August 2, 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m., Marriott, Ballroom D

There are several nationally normed instruments used to assess college-level mathematics learning. One, the Major Field Test (MFT), is used to assess the major; two others, the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) and the ETS Proficiency Profile (ETS-PP, formerly MAPP: Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress), are used to assess general education – not just in mathematics, but overall, but they do have mathematical components. (Another, the Praxis, for pre-service teachers, was discussed by a panel at JMM 2013.) This panel will consist of faculty at institutions that use the test. They will discuss the kinds of questions the test includes, how it is administered at their institution, what kinds of information the institution receives, and how their school has used this information to improve its program.

Organizer:
Bonnie Gold, Monmouth University

Panelists:
Timothy Flood, Pittsburg State University
Gerald Kruse, Juniata College
Mary Shepherd, Northwest Missouri State University
Janine Wittwer, Westminster College

Sponsor:
Committee on Assessment

Non-Academic Career Paths for Students Who Like Math. A Response to the Statement: “I really like math, but I don’t want to teach.”

Friday, August 2, 2:35 p.m. - 3:55 p.m., Marriott, Ballroom D

It's the bottom of the ninth; bases loaded. The right-handed relief pitcher has already thrown for two innings. At-bat is a lefty batting .295. Is it time to pull the pitcher? Come to this exciting panel to find out! During our panel we will hear from mathematicians from various fields including sports statistics (hopefully you are a Mets fan) and actuarial science. Each panelist will be given the opportunity to describe their non-academic career, then we will open the floor to questions. Be sure you are not left on the bench for this one!

Organizers:
Lisa Marano, West Chester University
Ben Galluzzo, Shippensburg University
Jean McGivney-Burelle, University of Hartford

Hosting an AMC Competition: Advice from the Experts!

Saturday, August 3, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Marriott, Ballroom D

The MAA sponsors the annual American Mathematics Competition for 8th, 10th and 12th grade students. This session will outline how institutions can serve as a regional host site for the AMC, with a focus not only on encouraging students in the area to participate in this event, but to also educate students about career and other opportunities in mathematics at the host institution. Panelists include faculty from successful AMC host institutions, as well as AMC Director Steve Dunbar. There will be a Q&A session at the end, as well as handouts for participants.

Myriad opportunities exist for undergraduate and graduate students interested in participating in summer programs, study abroad programs, or pursuing graduate school in the mathematical sciences. This session will provide an overview several different opportunities, as well as best practices on topics such as successful applications and securing funds. Panelists will discuss the NSF Graduate Fellowship Program, the Math in Moscow Program, the Budapest Semester in Mathematics Program, and the Carleton College Summer Mathematics Program for Women. There will be a Q&A session at the end and handouts for participants.

Sponsor:
Committee on Professional Development and Committee on Undergraduate Student Activities and Chapters

Successful Career Transitions

Thursday, August 1, 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m., Marriott, Ballroom D

The journey from undergraduate student to graduate student to a career in mathematics involves the navigation of several crucial transition points. This panel will address the common transitions that may be encountered, including the transition from graduate work to a postdoctoral position; the transition from postdoctoral work to employment in an academia, government, or industry; and transition between different types of positions (academic to industry, etc.). Panelists will discuss their experiences and the successful strategies that they used in their transitions, such as finding mentors and role models, negotiating for resources, and understanding key aspects of the job market and culture.

How to Apply for Jobs

Thursday, August 1, 2:35 p.m. - 3:55 p.m., Marriott, Ballroom D

This session is aimed at graduate students and recent Ph.Ds. An overview of the employment process will be given with ample opportunity for participants to ask questions. Questions that will be addressed include: How do you find which jobs are available? How do you choose which jobs you want to apply for? What are academic and other employers looking for in the materials that you send? How should you tailor your application material for the job that you are applying to? How do schools conduct interviews?

Organizers:
Estela Gavosto, University of Kansas
Kristine Roinestad, Georgetown College

Panelists:
James Freeman, Cornell College
Joanne Peeples, El Paso Community College
Kristine Roinestad, Georgetown College
A mathematician from industry

Sponsors:
Committee on Graduate Students
Professional Development Committee
Young Mathematicians Network

A Mathematician Teaches Statistics: Tales from the Front Lines

Thursday, August 1, 4:10 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Marriott, Ballroom D

At many institutions, mathematicians are invited, lured, or coerced into teaching statistics courses. This is especially true at smaller institutions that do not have separate statistics departments, but may also happen at larger institutions where statistics departments struggle to find sufficiently many instructors to teach all of their courses. Many of these instructors have had little or no formal statistical training, and most have had no prior experience teaching statistics. Come hear from mathematicians who have successfully made the transition to teaching statistics. Find out what lessons they have learned from teaching statistics and get their advice for other mathematicians who find themselves in the same situation.

Poster Session

PosterFest 2013:A Poster Session of Scholarship by Early Career Mathematicians and Graduate Students

This poster session will allow early career mathematicians, including untenured faculty and graduate students, to present and discuss their scholarly activities with other attendees in an informal atmosphere. Examples of scholarly activities suitable for this poster session include expository work, preliminary reports, scholarship of teaching and learning, and research reports. Presenters should have their materials prepared in advance and will be provided with a self-standing, trifold tabletop poster approximately 48 in wide by 36 in high. Proposals should be submitted at http://www.maa.org/mathfest/abstracts.html. Questions regarding this session should be sent to the organizers.

Organizer:
Audrey Malagon, Virginia Wesleyan College

Sponsors:
MAA Committee on Early Career Mathematicians
Young Mathematician's Network
Graduate Student Committee

Workshops

Here is a story that isn't true: When I was a young child I invented a machine (not true) that was nothing more than a series of boxes that could hold dots. And these dots would, upon certain actions, explode. And with this machine, in this non-true story, I realized I could explain true things! In one fell swoop I explained all the mathematics of arithmetic I learnt in grade school (true), all the of the polynomial algebra I was to learn in high-school (true), elements of calculus and number theory I was to learn in both high school and in university (true), and I began to explore unanswered research questions still intriguing mathematicians to this day (also true)!
Let me share this story with you. See how simple and elegant ideas from the regular curriculum connect to elegant and profound ideas in mathematics as a whole. And, other way round, discover from all this new and exciting approaches to bring back into the classroom. It's win-win all round! Be sure to bring pencil and paper. This experience will be interactive!

Organizer:
James Tanton, MAA Mathematician in Residence

Sponsor:
Council on Outreach

Workshop 2: What’s the Story? A Graduate Student Workshop on Formulating a Research Presentation for a General Audience

Thursday, August 1, 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m., Marriott, Ballroom C

Presenting our research to undergraduate students can be both fun and rewarding. It can also be difficult, however, since the gory details of our results often require a great deal of specific jargon and background. Nonetheless, the big ideas can almost always be presented at a variety of levels, and this workshop is designed to help participants develop the skills needed to formulate a presentation on their research that is appropriate for an audience of undergraduate students. Since many colleges and universities require giving such a talk as part of a job interview, almost any graduate student will have the opportunity to do so, and the ability to communicate complex mathematical ideas to students is a valued trait in a candidate. This workshop will consist of hands-on activities and audience interaction aimed toward developing and improving the necessary skills for creating an engaging and accessible presentation for undergraduates.

Organizer:
Rachel Schwell, Central Connecticut State University

Sponsors:
Committee on Graduate Students
Young Mathematician's Network